mulling (over)

verb

Definition of mulling (over)next
present participle of mull (over)
as in pondering
to give serious and careful thought to mull over the idea for a while and then let me know

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mulling (over)
  1. pondering
  2. contemplating
  3. considering
  4. entertaining
  5. questioning
  6. weighing
Verb
  • While producers pondering where to set their next movie will surely be tempted, this does come at a time when those in Hollywood especially are desperate to bring production back to home shores.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Murphy, who has launched a group called the American EV Jobs Alliance to try to build bipartisan support for electric vehicles, has spent years pondering why more Republicans won't buy them.
    — Camila Domonoske, NPR, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of pondering
Verb
  • Meanwhile, 61% of medical students are contemplating careers outside clinical practice, viewing medical school as a stepping stone to other fields in healthcare.
    — Richard Menger MD MPA, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Scott’s giving has important guidance not only for billionaires who want to follow her example and ramp up their giving, but also for everyday donors – and investors — who may be contemplating year-end decisions.
    — David Bowermaster, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Definition of contemplating
Verb
  • The rule could have prevented the government from considering important health research in setting pollution limits.
    — Eric Nost, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Robert Saleh, former New York Jets head coach This might be the most popular hire among fans, considering that Saleh ran the 49ers’ 2019 defense, the unit the team has aspired to match ever since.
    — Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Definition of considering
Verb
  • The house had multiple assets, including a grand entrance, original details, a welcoming front porch and a two-story carriage house that offered additional space for entertaining.
    — Lana Bortolot, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Again, sight lines within the home are extended, making this the area perfect for entertaining groups of all sizes, including large parties.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of entertaining
Verb
  • Despite more positive reports in previous months, concerns remain about the economic outlook, leaving policymakers and businesses questioning whether the downturn in confidence will translate to slower growth in 2024.
    — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Singing on the beach under the stars may not stop people (or me) from questioning the legitimacy of my Asian identity, but these moments bond me to the community and culture of my grandparents.
    — Acacia Gabriel, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of questioning
Verb
  • Truly pocket sized and weighing just 165g, FiiO says this is the ideal travel companion thanks to 12 hours of battery life and a two-hour fast-charge mode.
    — Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
  • This 2,000-tonne contraption would be lowered on a string of pipe weighing 2,000 tonnes, and grapple the wreck weighing 4,000 tonnes.
    — David Szondy, New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2025
Definition of weighing
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

mulling
mulling (over)
mull (over)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mulling (over).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mulling%20%28over%29. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All